Built For Zero Canada

Prevention

The information and resources here are intended to support your efforts to to prevent homelessness.

This page includes information on homelessness prevention. Note that information on housing stabilization programs are included in the Housing with Support page.

Remember, you can also always search on the Homeless Hub and the Homelessness Learning Hub for additional information.

Keep checking back here as we will be regularly updating materials and adding further resources.

Homeless Prevention Frameworks and Toolkits

Homeless Hub Prevention Page – includes an overview of prevention and links to further resources.
Diversion and Housing Loss Prevention Guide (2022) – a 40 page guide with information, practical steps and case studies. See this overview webinar recording and PDF.
Homelessness Prevention: A Review of the Literature (Center for Evidence Based Solutions to Homelessness, 2019) – an 8-page synthesis of the literature.
A New Direction: A Framework for Homelessness Prevention (COH, 2017) – includes a report, infographic, video, and webinar
- Evolving an Evidence Based Model for Homelessness Prevention (Journal Article, 2020) – presents a literature review of the domains of the Framework for Homelessness Prevention. Introduces empowerment as a new and potential framework domain.
Eviction Prevention Toolkit (Waterloo Region, 2022) – This toolkit includes information, tools, and tips to help housing providers with eviction prevention efforts.
Eviction Prevention Handbook: Here’s what you need to know if your landlord is trying to evict you (City of Toronto, 2021) – a 20-page handbook with resources for tenants.
Eviction Prevention Toolkit of Promising Practices (Institute of Urban Studies, University of Winnipeg, 2015). Tools organized under the following nine headings: Incorporating success-based housing into organizational mandates; A person-centered approach; Building networks and partnerships; Implementation; Supporting staff; Client supports, resources and education; Assessing program impacts; The importance of government support; Embracing challenges.

Preventing Youth Homelessness

The Roadmap for the Prevention of Youth Homelessness (COH & AWH, 2018) – includes a prevention report series with the following six breakout reports:
Preventing Youth Homelessness: An International Review of Evidence (COH/AWH, 2018)
What Would it Take? Youth Across Canada Speak Out on Youth Homelessness Prevention (COH/AWH, 2018)
Preventing Youth Homelessness: What Works (UK Centrepoint, 2018) – 20 page summary with list of programs reviewed.

Homeless Prevention by Province

Ontario

Eviction Prevention and Navigating the Landlord and Tenant Board for Community Workers (CERA, 2020)
Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (formerly Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation – CERA)
Legal Aid Ontario
Community Legal Education in Ontario (CLEO)
Renting in Ontario: Your Rights (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing)
Contact Service Managers for eviction prevention programs in each community

Community Prevention Program Examples

Rent Banks:
- Exploring International Rent Bank Models for Eviction Prevention (COH Blog, 2023)
- BC Rent Bank: Starting a Rent Bank in Your Community (website) – includes: The Toolkit: a practice-based resource to equip a community in launching a rent bank;
  The Workbook: utilizes the principles outlined in the Toolkit and provides practical worksheets to help plan and envision how to sustain a rent bank long term; and
  The Operations Manual: delves into the practical resources needed to operate a rent bank.
Keep Oakland Housed – a coordinated strategy and partnership to help Oakland residents at risk of losing their homes, providing a three-prong emergency response approach for residents: legal representation, financial assistance, and supportive services to help them remain in their homes. Began operating in 2018 and includes a two year evaluation report and videos.
Toronto’s Eviction Prevention in the Community (EPIC) Pilot Evaluation (2018) – program piloted since March 2017 offering wrap-around case management, mediation, accompaniment, referral to legal services, system navigation and help accessing income support. See also this Dec 10, 2018 COH blog on the project and evaluation.
Eviction Prevention: A Conversation with Communities (USICH, 2019) – Montgomery County (PA), Columbus (OH), and Los Angeles (CA)
Unlocking Doors to Homeless Prevention (Barbara Poppe, 2018) – provides a scan of US eviction prevention and homelessness prevention programs and eight key lessons are offered (pg. 8). See also their project presentation that includes a scan of programs
New York Homebase Program – includes an Evaluation Report (2013) and another Evaluation Report (2016)
Your Way Home Montgomery County Prevention – website page with links to further reports and programs on prevention including:
- EPIC – a pilot project designed to stabilize vulnerable families and individual in Montgomery County who are facing eviction by providing them with free legal and social services support on the day of their eviction hearing.

Program Areas